Canada: HIV Rates 10 Times Higher in Prisons

From CDC National Prevention Information Network

April 25, 2003

A Canadian government report said HIV and hepatitis C
infection rates in federal prisons are rising and are at least 10
times higher than in the general population. The report suggests
that 1.8 percent of federal inmates have HIV, and about one-quarter have hepatitis C. The rates are significantly higher
among female inmates, of whom close to 5 percent have HIV and
more than 40 percent have hepatitis C. Among male inmates, the
highest infection rates are in Quebec. Since only about one-quarter of all inmates undergo voluntary testing, the document
said, those rates are likely underreported. Most of the
infections are likely caused by sexual contact and sharing
needles to inject drugs, the report says. A committee set up by
the Correctional Services of Canada recommended starting a needle
exchange in prison four years ago, but this report says there are
no plans to do that. The report says better tracking and early
diagnosis can improve the inmates' health and reduce health care
costs in the long term.

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